Collected from various places on the Web. The latest information can be found in this VMware KB Article.
- Do NOT convert Windows Domain Controllers. Save yourself the hassle, and build a new one instead.
- If the source is a database server (Oracle, MySQL, Postgres, MS SQL Server, Exchange Server, etc), shut down the services prior to starting the conversion process.
- When giving VMware Converter credentials to convert your source machine, use the local Administrator, or Root, user account. A Windows domain admin account may work, but a local admin account is preferred.
- The name of the new VM has to be unique.
- At least 200 MB of free space is required on a Windows system drive.
- Use IP addresses, rather than DNS host names.
- If you are using vCenter Server, convert the source machine using the Converter Plugin.
- If you are converting directly to an ESX server, use the ESX server’s Root account credentials.
- If the source machine has disks or partitions that are larger than 256 GB, verify that the ESX local disk, or SAN LUN, has been formatted with a block size greater than 1 MB. When a vmfs partition is formatted, the default is 1 MB.
- Do not convert diagnostic partitions or unrecognized file systems.
- If space permits, do not resize any of the partitions.
- Leave the default number of NICs unaltered. Extra NICs can be removed after the conversion completes.
- Do not install VMware Tools until after the conversion is done.